The battle of South Clifton

Well ... the first encounter has taken place. Ubfortunately the Commanders inexperience was only exceeded by mine. It did not go well. 

Lord Thomas Markham of Foresby had led his mainly raw force, financed and led by his friends and acquaitances, from Eastspring, and across the River Trout South of Forksey. To tempt away beseigers from the strategically important town of Oldfetter.The agreed plan was for him to take and hold the large village of Dollingham. This would disrupt local Parliamentarian recruitment, supply and also threaten the link between besiegers and Linden the shire's only city. His force was 3 Infantry regiments 2 pieces of  Artillery. and a Regiment of horse. Artillery would make fortification of Dollingham easier, but it would slow him down

Sir Josiah Letterman of Spalsby was on a mission too. He was required to lead a strike force on a spoiling attack against the Royalist food sources between Eastspring and Graftsop.He was pleased with his force,  2 regiments of Horse 1 of Dragoons and 3 regiments of Foote. This would give him the chance to hold a secure base whilst causing mayhem for the malignants in the area.

The Parliamentarians formed up on the Southern ridge with the Horse covering the road and the Dragoons on the Right with the intention of outflanking the Royalists from the Farm in front of them.

For their part, the Royalistrank and file put great faith in the Artillery they had brought with them. Those of their leaders who had experience of military action in the Low Countries were  far more apprehensive.

Appalling initiative throws for Parliament, gave Lord Thoresby hope. and when the Roundheads centre Infantry suffered damage from the exalted Artillery. The Parliamentarians advanced ( as best they could... those poor dice rolls.) Lord Thomas was happy to await the enemy and hoped to break the rraw enemy troops by making them face their fate and have to walk toward it

The Royalist right of the Horse and the trained and experience Foresby Regiment of Foot moved to cover the wing and negate the threat of the enemy horse... who seemed content  to just watch what was going on and let their horses graze...

The early successes of the gunners wre not to be replicated  and although the enemy was picking up damage  Lord Thomas could see that the enemy casualties were not having the effect that he had hoped for.. The guns would not be in his care for much longr at this rate. The raw levies were getting more and more erratic. There was a lot of smoke and noise but precious few casualies to force an outcome. In an effort to force the issue , the Royalist horse charged across the fiield  and slammed into the flank of Crabbe's Foot. Regrettably for Lord Thomas the cavalry would have been more effective if they had been armed with stinging nettles. After a round or two the Parliamentarian Horse charged into the rear of the Royalist Horse and after a while, routed them.  However, they Had bought Lord Thomas time, The guns were limbered  and the Thoresby foot escorted the guns away whilst the remaining foot of both sides decided that the gathering twilight made a good excuse to go home. The Parliamentary horse and dragoons had been exhausted by the little work they had done ( the dragoons spent most of their day birdwatching.) so the Royalists skulked away back towards the River Trout and a safe route home.